Integration of general oncology and palliative care : The Lancet Oncology

 The Lancet Oncology

".....How to organise comprehensive cancer care from the onset of metastatic disease to the end of life is debated. Arguments exist for full integration of palliative services into general oncology care. However, a European survey7 showed that only 35% of medical oncologists collaborate with palliative-care specialists. Why patients with cancer are referred late to palliative-care services in Canada and the USA is also debated. A Canadian study8 showed that 80% of Canadian oncologists always or usually referred terminally ill patients to palliative care, and that oncologists were less likely to refer patients to palliative care when expected survival was more than 1 year. Other studies have shown that oncologists having insight and knowledge about palliative care results in improved collaboration and early referral. The debate about who is best suited and qualified to coordinate end-of-life care is ongoing."